Admn on alert after heavy snowfall warning

DCs told to gear up for next two days to ensure locals, tourists do not face inconvenience

Tribune News Service

Amid fresh warning of heavy to very heavy snowfall or rain in mid and higher hills on January 24 and 25, the state government has asked the DCs to remain alert and take adequate steps to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to people.

The government was caught off guard after the heavy snowfall on January 7 as water and power supply and transport and other services had remained crippled for several days, causing inconvenience to locals and tourists.

The local MeT office has predicted heavy to very heavy rain or snow in the mid and higher hills on January 24 and 25 and heavy snow at scattered places on January 26 following a fresh western disturbance.

Most parts of the state continued to reel under the biting cold wave conditions even as weather remained dry and cloudy in mid and lower hills and day temperatures rose by a few notches. Kalpa and Khadrala had 6 cm of fresh snow while other high-altitude tribal areas also had mild snowfall while Rohru and Nahan recorded 4 mm rain, followed by Dharampur 2 mm.

Arctic conditions prevailed in high-altitude tribal areas as minimum temperatures stayed 15 to 20 degree below freezing point and Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of -6.7 degree and -2.6 degree.

The natural sources of water like lakes, springs and rivulets in high-altitude areas are frozen, reducing the discharge of water in the Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers, affecting hydropower generation.

The maximum temperature rose by a few notches at several places and Una in Shiwalik foothills was the warmest with a high of 23.2 degree while Sundernagar and Bhuntar at 21.9 degree and 21.5 degree, Solan 19.5 degree, Nahan 18.3 degree, Shimla 15.6 degree, Dharamsala 15.4 degree, Manali 10.5 degree and Kalpa 5.4 degree. The farmers and orchardists are happy with the continued wet spell as it would prove a boon for Rabi and apple crops.